Soon everyone finished their dinner and departed to their respective rooms.

Vikram, however, walked towards the kitchen.

A few minutes later, he came out carrying a mug of hot chocolate and a hot water bag.

He then walked towards Vanya's room and knocked on the door.

Knock... Knock...

From inside, a soft voice came.

"Come in ."

Vikram entered the room.

Vanya was sitting on the bed, her face pale and pain clearly visible in her eyes. The cramps were making her uncomfortable, yet she was trying her best not to show it.

The moment she saw him, she quickly sat straight.

"Uncle... aap yahan?"

(Uncle... you're here?)

Vikram smiled softly.

"Haan, baccha. Tumhari tabiyat theek nahi lag rahi thi, isliye yeh lekar aaya hoon."

(Yes, child. You didn't seem to be feeling well, so I brought these.)

He handed her the hot water bag and the mug of hot chocolate.

"Yeh hot water bag aur hot chocolate hai. Isse thoda better feel karogi."

(This is a hot water bag and hot chocolate. You'll feel a little better.)

Vanya looked at the things in her hands.

No one had ever taken care of her like this after coming here.

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Vikram sat beside her on the bed.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

Then he gently said,

"Vanya, tum jaanti ho na... tum mujhse kuch bhi share kar sakti ho."

(Vanya, you know that you can share anything with me.)

She nodded lightly.

"Ji, Uncle."

She took a few sips of the hot chocolate.

The warmth of the drink made her feel slightly better.

Vikram looked at her carefully.

Her eyes looked tired.

There was sadness hidden behind them.

He sighed.

"Baccha... sach sach batao. Kya hua hai? Tum itni udaas kyun ho?"

(Child... tell me honestly. What happened? Why are you so sad?)

The question broke something inside her.

Her eyes slowly filled with tears.

Seeing her like this, Vikram became worried.

He immediately pulled her into a gentle hug.

"Kya hua, baccha? Kisi ne kuch kaha hai tumse? Mujhe batao. Main unhe itni aasani se nahi chhodunga."

(What happened, child? Did someone say something to you? Tell me. I won't let them go so easily.)

Vanya herself didn't know why she was crying.

Was it because of her mood swings?

Or yesterday's incident?

Or because she was missing her parents?

Or maybe... everything together.

She finally spoke between her sobs.

"Mujhe Mom aur Dad ki yaad aa rahi hai, Uncle... mujhe unki bahut yaad aa rahi hai... I want them."

(I miss Mom and Dad, Uncle... I miss them so much... I want them.)

Vikram's heart shattered.

He gently stroked her hair.

Tears gathered in his own eyes.

He had never seen her this vulnerable.

She looked so small and lonely.

Vanya cried harder.

"Unhone mujhe akela kyun chhod diya, Uncle? Main unke bina nahi rehna chahti..."

(Why did they leave me alone, Uncle? I don't want to live without them...)

Vikram hugged her a little tighter.

"Tum akeli nahi ho, Vanya."

(You are not alone, Vanya.)

He softly continued,

"Main hoon na, baccha."

(I am here, child.)

Those words made her cry even more.

She let out all the pain she had been holding inside her heart.

After crying for a long time, she slowly fell asleep in Vikram's embrace.

Vikram looked down at the sleeping girl.

Her cheeks were wet with tears.

He gently wiped them away.

Carefully, he made her lie down on the bed and covered her with the blanket.

He lovingly brushed her hair away from her face.

Then he whispered,

"Main poori koshish karunga ki tum khud ko kabhi akela mehsoos na karo, baccha."

(I will try my best to make sure you never feel alone, child.)

He kissed her forehead softly.

"Good night, baccha. Sweet dreams."

With one last glance at her sleeping figure, he quietly left the room and closed the door behind him.

After leaving Vanya's room, Vikram slowly walked towards his own room.

The entire conversation with Vanya kept replaying in his mind.

Her tears...

Her broken voice...

And the way she had asked why her parents left her alone.

His heart ached.

After entering his room, he closed the door behind him.

The room was silent.

He walked towards the bedside table and picked up a photo frame.

It was a picture of him and his late wife, Saanvi.

A small smile appeared on his lips as he looked at her picture.

He sat on the edge of the bed and gently touched the frame.

Then he spoke softly.

"Saanvi... tumhare jaane ke baad..."

(Saanvi... after you left us...)

He took a deep breath.

"Main khud tumhare jaane ke dukh mein itna kho gaya tha ki hamare beton ka dhyan hi nahi rakh paya."

(I was so lost in the grief of losing you that I couldn't take care of our sons.)

His eyes became moist.

"Isi liye unka swabhav itna badal gaya. Woh sabse door ho gaye... apni feelings chhupana seekh liya."

(That's why their personalities changed so much. They became distant from everyone and learned to hide their feelings.)

He looked at Saanvi's smiling picture.

"Aur ab Vanya..."

(And now Vanya...)

His voice became softer.

"Usne bhi apne maa-baap ko kho diya hai. Main nahi chahta ki woh khud ko akela mehsoos kare."

(She has also lost her parents. I don't want her to feel alone.)

He remembered the little girl's tear-stained face.

A sigh escaped his lips.

Then a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Pata hai, Saanvi..."

(Do you know, Saanvi...)

"Jab se Vanya is ghar mein aayi hai, yeh ghar thoda zinda sa lagne laga hai."

(Since Vanya came into this house, it has started feeling a little alive again.)

He chuckled softly.

"Aarav... jo sabse door rehta tha, woh bhi usse baat karta hai aur usse apni twin maanta hai."

(Aarav, who stays distant from everyone, also talks to her and accepts her as his twin.)

A small smile stayed on his lips.

"Aur Arjun aur Kabir..."

(And Arjun and Kabir...)

"Un dono ne bhi uske saath ek accha rishta bana liya hai."

(Both of them have also formed a good bond with her.)

He looked at the photo again.

"Bas ab ummeed karta hoon ki Rudra aur Veeransh bhi jaldi uske saath ghul-mil jayein."

(I just hope Rudra and Veeransh also get along with her soon.)

The room became silent once again.

After a few moments, Vikram gently smiled.

"Tum meri madad karogi na, Saanvi?"

(You'll help me, right, Saanvi?)

"Main chahta hoon ki Vanya ko yeh kabhi mehsoos na ho ki woh is ghar mein mehmaan hai."

(I want Vanya to never feel that she is a guest in this house.)

"Main chahta hoon ki woh mehsoos kare ki yeh uska bhi ghar hai."

(I want her to feel that this is her home too.)

His eyes softened.

"Aur mujhe pata hai... tum bhi yahi chahti."

(And I know... you would have wanted the same.)

He carefully placed the photo frame against his chest.

Then he lay down on the bed while still holding it.

A few moments later, he whispered,

"I love you, Saanvi... Good night."

Slowly, he closed his eyes.

Soon, sleep embraced him.

While everyone in the mansion was fast asleep...

In the servant quarters, one person was still awake.

Kalpana.

Her eyes were open as she sat on her bed.

There was no trace of tears on her face now.

The worried expression she had shown in front of Vanya during the day had completely disappeared.

Instead, there was a strange look in her eyes.

She remembered the scene from earlier.

Vikram taking care of Vanya.

The brothers worrying about her.

Everyone's attention revolving around that girl.

Her hands clenched tightly.

"Sirf kuch hi dino mein..." she muttered.

(In just a few days...)

"Sab us ladki ke aas-paas ghoomne lage hain."

(Everyone has started revolving around that girl.)

Her expression darkened.

She had not expected things to turn out like this.

She thought Vanya would remain lonely.

A helpless orphan with no one beside her.

But things were changing.

And that wasn't good for her plans.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Nahi..."

(No...)

"Mujhe kuch karna hoga."

(I have to do something.)

A slow smile appeared on her face.

She looked towards the window.

"Yeh to bas shuruaat hai, Vanya."

(This is only the beginning, Vanya.)

The room once again fell into silence.

Outside, the moon shone brightly in the sky.

Unaware of the storm that was slowly beginning to form around her...

Vanya slept peacefully in her room.

Holding the hot water bag close to herself.

A faint smile rested on her face.

For the first time in many days...

She didn't feel completely alone.

Next Morning

The bright rays of the sun filtered through the curtains and scattered across the room.

Vanya stirred in her sleep.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and blinked a few times.

For a few seconds, she simply sat there, trying to wake herself up.

Then she stretched her arms and let out a small yawn.

Her head felt slightly heavy after all the crying from the previous night.

The room was unusually quiet.

And then...

Everything that had happened last night came rushing back to her.

How she had broken down in front of Vikram.

How she had cried in his embrace.

How she had hugged him like a little child.

Her eyes widened in horror.

She quickly covered her face with both hands.

A groan escaped her lips.

"Hey Mahadev... ab main Uncle ka saamna kaise karungi?"

(Oh Mahadev... how will I face Uncle now?)

She fell back onto the bed dramatically.

For the first time in years, she had cried so openly in front of someone.

She hated showing her weakness.

Back in her previous life, she had always dealt with everything alone.

Whether she was happy, sad, or broken, she had never cried in front of anyone.

Yet yesterday...

She had cried until she fell asleep.

A few moments later, she removed her hands from her face and stared at the ceiling.

"Lavanya, tum bhi na..."

(Lavanya, honestly...)

She sighed.

"Ek din mein hi itna emotional ho gayi?"

(You became this emotional in just one day?)

She sat up again.

A faint smile appeared on her lips as she remembered how gently Vikram had comforted her.

He had not asked too many questions.

He had simply stayed with her.

Somehow, that made her heart feel warm.

But the next second, another thought entered her mind.

Her eyes widened again.

"Uncle mere baare mein kya soch rahe honge?"

(What must Uncle be thinking about me?)

She frowned.

"How will I face Uncle? What must he be thinking about me? This girl always said she could live alone in Bangalore because she was a big girl, and now she cried like a baby."

She buried her face in her pillow.

"Hey Bhagwan! Kitni embarrassing baat hai!"

(Oh God! This is so embarrassing!)

After a few seconds, she lifted her head.

Then she suddenly paused.

A confused expression appeared on her face.

"Ek minute..."

(Wait a minute...)

She blinked.

"Aur mujhe kya ho gaya hai? Main itna kyun soch rahi hoon?"

(And what happened to me? Why am I thinking so much?)

She had never cared about what others thought of her.

People had judged her all her life.

But she had never let their opinions affect her.

Then why was she suddenly worried about what Vikram might think?

She remained silent for a few moments.

Then she let out another sigh.

"Vanya, tumne kab se yeh sochna shuru kar diya ki doosre tumhare baare mein kya sochte hain?"

(Vanya, since when did you start caring about what others think about you?)

She shook her head.

"Bas, zyada mat socho."

(That's enough, don't overthink.)

With that, she got out of bed and walked towards the washroom.

After nearly twenty minutes, she came out wearing an oversized T-shirt and loose pants.

She dried her hair with a towel and looked at herself in the mirror.

Her eyes were slightly swollen because of all the crying.

She immediately frowned.

"Great... ab toh sabko pata chal jayega."

(Great... now everyone will know.)

She splashed a little cold water on her face.

Then she took a deep breath.

"Sab normal hai. Kuch bhi nahi hua. Bas breakfast karke aa jaungi."

(Everything is normal. Nothing happened. I'll just have breakfast and come back.)

She nodded to herself as if trying to convince her own heart.

Then she left her room and headed towards the dining area.

Vanya walked towards the dining area.

While walking, she silently prayed,

"Mahadev, bas aaj koi meri aankhon ke baare mein mat poochna... aur Uncle bhi kal raat wali baat ka zikr mat karein."

(Mahadev, please don't let anyone ask about my eyes today... and let Uncle not mention last night's incident either.)

A few moments later, she reached the dining area.

Everyone was already present there except Vikram.

She let out a small sigh of relief and sat on her chair.

Everyone sat quietly, waiting for Vikram to arrive.

But unfortunately for Vanya...

Kabir noticed something.

He narrowed his eyes and looked at her carefully.

Then he suddenly asked,

"Cupcake, tumhari aankhon ko kya hua? Itni puffy kyun lag rahi hain?"

(Cupcake, what happened to your eyes? Why do they look so puffy?)

The entire dining table fell silent.

Everyone's attention shifted towards Vanya.

Vanya mentally smacked her forehead.she thinked

"Kabir bhaiya, aapko poochna hi tha?"

(Kabir bhaiya, did you really have to ask that?)

She looked around.

Everyone was waiting for her answer.

After a few seconds, she calmly replied,

"Woh... jab bhi main zyada so jaati hoon na, meri aankhein aisi hi ho jaati hain."

(Whenever I oversleep, my eyes become like this.)

Kabir blinked.

"Oh..."

The others also accepted her explanation.

Vanya secretly sighed in relief.

Then suddenly-

Click!

A sound echoed in the room.

Vanya froze.

Slowly, she turned her head.

Kabir was holding his phone.

And on the screen...

was her picture.

Her eyes widened.

"Kabir bhaiya!"

She immediately stood up from her chair.

"Delete kijiye woh photo!"

(Delete that photo!)

Kabir quickly stood up too and took a few steps back.

"No!"

And before anyone could react-

he ran.

"Kabir bhaiya, ruk jaiye!"

(Kabir bhaiya, stop!)

Vanya started running after him.

Arjun and Aarav simply watched the scene with amusement.

A small smile even appeared on Rudra and Veeransh's faces.

Meanwhile, Vanya was still chasing Kabir.

"Kabir bhaiya, please delete it!"

Kabir stopped a few feet away from her and turned around.

A mischievous smile appeared on his face.

"Ek condition par."

(On one condition.)

Vanya narrowed her eyes.

"Kaunsi condition?"

(What condition?)

Kabir grinned.

"Mujhe bhi ek nickname do."

(Give me a nickname too.)

Vanya blinked.

"Bas itni si baat?"

(That's it?)

Kabir nodded proudly.

"Haan."

Vanya crossed her arms.

Then she looked at him thoughtfully.

A few seconds later, a mischievous smile appeared on her face.

"Mendak bhaiya kaise rahega?"

(How about frog bhaiya?)

Kabir frowned.

"Mendak?"

Vanya nodded seriously.

"Haan, kyunki aap hamesha tar-tar karte rehte ho."

(Yes, because you're always talking nonstop.)

Silence.

Then-

Arjun burst into laughter.

Aarav followed him.

Even Rudra and Veeransh couldn't stop the small smiles on their faces.

Kabir looked utterly betrayed.

"Vanya!"

She innocently blinked.

"Kya? Achha toh hai."

(What? It's nice.)

Kabir narrowed his eyes.

"Theek hai... phir main yeh photo Instagram par post kar deta hoon."

(Fine... then I'll post this photo on Instagram.)

Vanya's eyes widened.

She hurriedly walked towards him.

"Sorry! Sorry! Main mazaak kar rahi thi."

(Sorry! Sorry! I was just joking.)

Kabir immediately pointed at the floor.

"Nahi. Wahin ruk jao."

(No. Stay right there.)

Vanya stopped.

Then she sighed dramatically.

"Main aapko nickname de dungi... bas thoda time dijiye."

(I'll give you a nickname... just give me some time.)

Kabir folded his arms.

"Time kyun?"

(Why time?)

Vanya looked genuinely troubled.

"Aapka naam thoda complicated hai."

(Your name is a little complicated.)

Everyone looked at her strangely.

She started counting on her fingers.

"Dekhiye... agar main 'Kab' bolun toh 'Kab?' jaisa lagta hai."

(If I say 'Kab', it sounds like 'When?')

Arjun laughed again.

Vanya continued seriously.

"Aur agar 'Bir' bolun toh beer jaisa lagta hai."

(And if I say 'Bir', it sounds like beer.)

This time, even Aarav started laughing loudly.

Kabir stared at her in disbelief.

She continued,

"Aur agar 'Kabi' bolun toh 'Kabhi' jaisa lagta hai."

(And if I say 'Kabi', it sounds like 'Sometimes'.)

The entire table erupted into laughter.

Kabir looked completely offended.

After a few moments, he sighed.

"Theek hai. Soch lo."

(Fine. Think about it.)

Vanya's eyes immediately lit up.

"Ab photo delete kijiye."

(Now delete the photo.)

Kabir smirked.

He carefully put his phone in his pocket.

"Pehle nickname. Tab tak yeh photo mere paas rahegi."

(First the nickname. Until then, this photo stays with me.)

Vanya gasped.

"Kabir bhaiya!"

And once again, laughter echoed throughout the dining area.

For the first time since yesterday's painful incident...

a small smile appeared on Vanya's face.

Both of them returned to their seats.

Just then, Vikram entered the dining area.

"Good morning, everyone."

Everyone greeted him back.

"Good morning."

Soon, breakfast was served.

Vikram's gaze fell on Vanya.

"Vanya?"

Hearing her name, she looked up.

At the same time, she silently prayed.

"Mahadev... please Uncle kal raat wali baat ka zikr mat kijiye."

(Mahadev... please don't let Uncle mention last night.)

"Ji, Uncle?"

(Yes, Uncle?)

Vikram smiled softly.

"Ab tumhari tabiyat kaisi hai, baccha?"

(How is your health now, child?)

Vanya visibly relaxed.

At least he wasn't talking about last night.

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Main theek hoon, Uncle."

(I am fine, Uncle.)

Vikram nodded.

Then he said,

"Mujhe paanch din ke liye business trip par jaana hai."

(I have to go on a business trip for five days.)

Everyone looked at him.

"Agar tumhe kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho, toh ghar mein kisi se bhi keh dena."

(If you need anything, you can ask anyone in this house.)

Vanya nodded.

"Theek hai, Uncle."

But someone else had a completely different reaction.

Kalpana, who was standing nearby, became happy.

"Paanch din?" she thought.

A smile almost appeared on her face.

"Matlab paanch din tak Vikram sir ghar par nahi honge..."

(That means Vikram sir won't be at home for five days...)

Her eyes gleamed.

"Ab main aaram se apna agla kadam utha sakti hoon."

(Now I can easily make my next move.)

Meanwhile, Vikram looked back at Vanya.

"Baccha, meri trip se tumhe kuch chahiye?"

(Child, do you want anything from my trip?)

Vanya immediately shook her head.

"Nahi, Uncle."

(No, Uncle.)

Vikram looked surprised.

Then he smiled slightly.

"Ajeeb baat hai."

(That's strange.)

Everyone looked at him.

He continued,

"Raghav mujhe batata tha ki jab bhi woh kisi trip par jaata tha, tum usse cheezon ki poori list de deti thi."

(Raghav used to tell me that whenever he went on a trip, you would give him an entire list of things to buy.)

The smile on Vanya's face disappeared.

Before she could stop herself, the words slipped out of her mouth.

"Kyuki woh mere Papa the."

(Because he was my Dad.)

Silence.

Dead silence.

The entire dining table became quiet.

Vanya froze.

Her eyes widened.

She had spoken without thinking.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

A shadow crossed Vikram's face.

The brothers also fell silent.

After a few seconds, Vanya lowered her gaze.

"Sorry, Uncle... mera woh matlab nahi tha."

(Sorry, Uncle... I didn't mean it that way.)

Vikram immediately shook his head.

A gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Nahi, baccha. Maafi maangne ki zaroorat nahi hai."

(No, child. There is no need to apologize.)

He looked at her softly.

"Koi bhi kisi ki jagah nahi le sakta... aur na hi main tumhare Papa ki jagah lena chahta hoon."

(No one can take someone else's place... and neither do I want to take your father's place.)

Vanya slowly looked at him.

Vikram continued,

"Main bas yeh chahta hoon ki tum kabhi khud ko akela mehsoos na karo."

(I only want you to never feel alone.)

His words made her heart warm.

She slowly nodded.

"Ji, Uncle."

A small smile appeared on her face.

Seeing that smile, Vikram also smiled.

The heavy atmosphere finally disappeared.

Then Kabir suddenly spoke.

"Toh iska matlab hai, Cupcake ko shopping list banana pasand hai?"

Vanya looked at him suspiciously.

"Kabir bhaiya..."

A mischievous grin appeared on his face.

"Koi baat nahi, main trip par jaunga toh tum mujhe bhi lambi list de dena."

(No problem, when I go on a trip, you can give me a long list too.)

Arjun chuckled.

Aarav smiled.

Even Rudra and Veeransh looked more relaxed.

Vanya let out a small laugh.

And once again, the dining area was filled with warmth.

To be continued...